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Page 252
well-castled and they are here in Sussex and in Leicester, near Robert's." She turned her head a little so that Ian could not see her eyes. "And you? Will you go?"
"I told you, not yet. I will provide a forceI have not yet decided whether to levy on the vassals or hire mercenaries. Later, when Pembroke knows what more is needed, I will go myself, bringing such additional aid as he will direct."
"And Oxford? And Salisbury?"
"Oxford will send men and, I think, his youngest son. Salisbury has offered to send men also, and that I cannot understand. He has no stake in Ireland, exceptIf you want my thoughts, he does this for John's sake."
"What!" Alinor exclaimed. "Ian, if it is John's desire to get Pembroke to go to Ireland, I must warn Isobel to stop him. And, as for you, you will not go even if I must"
"Alinor!" Ian said sharply. "I will go where it is right for me to go, and where I have passed my word I will go, even if hell should bar the way. Fortunately, we will not need to quarrel over this. John has no desire for Pembroke to go to Ireland; he has thrice forbidden it. You did not understand what I meant. I believe it is Salisbury who desires Pembroke's absence so that John cannot demand of Pembroke something he cannot in honor give."
"You make my head go around," Alinor said irritably. "I thought the idea was Oxford's."
"Indeed it was, and I think Oxford brought the idea to Salisbury only to discover whether it would bring down John's wrath upon him. Salisbury then saw how great good for all could be gained. Look at it thus. John is already greatly hated and is not mending matters by this new tax. There is no man in England, or anywhere else, who does not honor Pembroke or who does not know how patiently he has borne the slights the king has placed upon him. If John should demand what is not

 
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